STEPHEN Simukai will be one of the players to watch when amateur golfers tee off in the Kamandama Memorial Golf Tournament at Hwange Golf Club tomorrow morning.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Simukai has been in good form winning the Mashonaland West Golf Open, Roland Park competition and the Hwange Closed tournament titles recently. Competing in the A division he managed a gross score of 147 while Christian Lungu came second with a gross score of 16 to emerge as the winner of the Hwange Closed competition. The format of the Kamandama competition will be four-ball better-ball.
The Kamandama Memorial Golf Tournament is aimed at raising funds for widows and orphans of the Kamandama Mine Disaster which claimed 427 lives on June 6 1972 at Kamandama underground shaft.
This could be the last time Simukai plays in the Kamandama Memorial Golf Tournament as he intends to turn professional soon.
“I recently won the Mashonaland West Golf Open, Roland Park competition. I hope to turn professional soon. I wanted to turn professional in 2012, but some of the tournaments that I participated in were not on the national calendar although some are now in.
“But I have now taken part in competitions that enable me to turn professional and I have played well,” Simukai said in an interview with Southern Eye Sport recently.
By yesterday morning club captain Vumi Moyo said they were still expecting more golfers to register.
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“So far 90 golfers have registered to take part in the competition. We are still expecting more to register because registration is closing by end of day today (yesterday),” he said.
“The golf course is in a good condition. The greens and fairways are fantastic,” he said. The tournament is expected to draw amateur golfers from around the country.
By yesterday morning golfers who include Moyo, Hwange Golf Club chairman Victor Rakabopa, Morgan Gorerino, Josphat Phiri, Diamond Jackson, Innocent Nousenga, Thembinkosi Ncube and Matabeleland Golf Association vice— president Victor Suerga had registered.
Vincent Makamure and Colletta Mhonda were crowned champions of last year’s four-ball better-ball competition on 53 points.
Marko Phiri and Julliet Gurani on 49 points were second while Christian Lungu and Getrude Katsidzira followed on 48 points. The excelling players were awarded various prizes like dinners sets, jerry cans, blankets, suitcases and other prizes for the golfers from number one to 20.
A total of $9 110 was raised last year.
